Austrian Police Can Kiss My Arss

On our way out of Austria, we were stopped by the police. Apparently, you are requried to have a toll sticker while driving through the country. However, you wouldn't know this unless someone told you or you knew what one vague symbol on a blue sign meant.

Unlike in France, Italy and America, Austria doesn't have toll booths. Instead, they have small blue signs with a road symbol and the word "toll" above it in English (along with numerous other pieces of unreadable verbage). It doesn't tell you where to buy the sticker or what to do with it once you have it.

When we were stopped by the border patrol, and told we owed a 100 euro fine, plus 20 euros for the sticker, I asked how anyone is to know of this law. He pointed to a sign behind us. I then noted how at least in other countries, there are booths set-up to collect the money. These countries don't expect foreigners to just "be aware" of what's due.

I'm all for abiding the rules and regulations each country establishes. However, it's unfair to punish someone for not knowing the law if you've never given them the opportunity to first learn them - especially in Europe where they change on a mile-to-mile basis.

My thought? I say in America we have a "breathing air" tax. All citizens pay the $.01 tax locally. We then hang 1" signs under the far left hand corner of underpasses. We then make note of any legislative branch Austrians entering the country. Once they leave the airport, we have police quickly pull them over the side of the road where we impose a $1,000 fine if they don't show documentation of them paying for the "breathing air" tax. I'd say that's fair.